7 Must-Buy Groceries If You're Trying To Eat Less Meat

If you're trying to eat less meat—or none at all—tofu can start to get old fast (unless you try one of these 7 genius recipes). And while there are tons of new meat alternatives popping up in supermarkets, picking ones that pack the most protein and taste is a gamble if you haven't tried any before.

"With so many varieties, it's hard to choose or know which brand or style is best," agrees Johanna McCloy, director of Veggie Happy, which advocates for plant-based options that appeal to all food lovers, not just vegetarians. "I always suggest giving at least three brands or styles a try if you don't happen to like the first one. Like any food item, taste and texture can vary quite dramatically from one brand or style to another."

To get you started, we put together this list of the tastiest meatless options on the market. From burgers to faux bacon, these high-protein buys are so delicious (and convenient) that you may just forget all about their meaty counterparts. (Stop your craving cycle before it starts and burn fat around the clock with the naturally sweet, salty, and satisfying meals in Eat Clean, Lose Weight & Love Every Bite!)

At first glance, these burgers look just like beef, but they're actually made mostly from peas. They cook like regular patties, too, changing color as you grill them. Try stacking a classic burger, making "meatballs" for Sunday dinner, or extending Meatless Monday into Taco Tuesday. One patty packs 20 grams of protein, is non-GMO, and has no soy or gluten. (Here are 6 super-delicious meatless burgers you can make yourself.)

Buy it: $5.99 in the meat section at Whole Foods (click here to find a store near you)

WestSoy Pulled BBQ Seitan

Amazon

No need to miss out on delicious cookout food this summer. (Try these 9 easy backyard BBQ recipes from Prevention Premium.) These strips of seitan, a wheat-based protein that's low in fat, have a texture that mimics meat and come pre-seasoned in a smoky sauce. All you have to do is heat, toss on a bun, and load up on your favorite sides.

Buy it: $4-5 in the refrigerated section (click here to find a store near you), or $76.15 for a case of 12 on Amazon.com

Lightlife Organic Fakin’ Bacon Tempeh Strips

Lightlife

Life is just better with bacon—and these faux slices made from soybeans let you adhere to that mantra without all the sketchy nitrites you'd get in the real cured kind. They're savory and smoky just like regular strips, so sizzle them up at your brunch gathering or try updating an old-fashioned BLT.

Buy it: $4.99 in the produce or dairy aisle at most supermarkets (click here to find a store near you)

If you love chicken with a kick, pick up a pack of these. They taste so good you'd never know they're made with soy protein. Use them for anything you'd normally add chicken to, like sandwiches and salads, or even in your go-to Buffalo chicken dip. You can also try in lettuce wraps like these.

Buy it: $3.50-4, in the frozen section at most supermarkets

Explore Cuisine Pastas

Explore Cuisine

Prefer your spaghetti without meatballs? This line of protein-rich pastas is perfect. They're gluten-free and made from organic lentils, chickpeas, and other pulses, which are a great source of fiber and iron. (Not sure what the heck pulses are? Here's the scoop.) All the bean pastas have only one ingredient: organic beans. We recommend Black Bean Spaghetti, Edamame and Mung Bean Fettuccini, or Soybean Spaghetti.

Your cookouts and brunches don't have to suffer just because you're eliminating meat from your diet. Field Roast makes its plant-based sausages from a blend of wheat protein, real veggies, herbs and spices, and they come in three flavors: Apple Sage, Mexican Chipotle, and Italian. Eat them with eggs, on a bun, or add to chili, sauces, pizzas, or stews.

Buy it: $5-6 in the meat section at most supermarkets (click here to find in a store near you)

Follow Your Heart VeganEgg

Follow Your Heart

Even if you're going one step past meatless to ditch eggs and other animal products, you don't have to revamp your best cookie recipe or give up fluffy weekend omelets forever. This completely plant-based egg replacement is made with whole algal flour (aka algae powder) and protein. It comes in a carton, but it's actually a powder that you mix with water. Though it may not look like the real thing, it works like a charm and is cholesterol-free. (You've got to try these 5 vegan dinners with as much protein as a chicken breast.)

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